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JCCC Offers New Certificate in Market Farming
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Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

7/29/08
Story by Peggy Graham

JCCC Offers New Certificate in Market Farming

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College recently received approval for a new sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship certificate from the Kansas Board of Regents.

The certificate is designed to meet the growing demand for locally grown food, both from chefs who recognize its importance for freshness and nutrition and from consumers concerned about the quality, safety and sustainability of the U.S. food system.

“There is a need for more people to grow fruits and vegetables for local markets. The number of farmers markets has grown exponentially, and there is a huge demand by grocery stores to find local growers,” said Stu Shafer,  JCCC professor of sociology, and market farmer for more than 20 years, who teaches in the certificate program.

The 28-hour certificate program will provide education in agriscience and agribusiness, focusing on sustainable agriculture, market farming, the preparation of locally grown food and entrepreneurship.  The sustainable agriculture certificate  will teach prospective, beginning and experienced market farmers how to be more productive and ecological while looking at food industry compliance and safety issues and financial management for small business.

Hands-on learning will be offered as part of three two-hour sustainable agriculture practicums (spring, summer and fall) at the Kansas State University Research and Extension Center, 35230 W. 135th St., Olathe.

This program is a partnership among JCCC’s hospitality management, horticulture and entrepreneurship program and KSU. For more information, call Lindy Robinson, assistant dean, design and hospitality, JCCC, at 913-469-8500, ext. 3250; Ted Carey, extension educator, KSU Horticulture Research and Extension Center, or Csilla Duneczky, interim assistant dean, science, JCCC, 913-469-3826.

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